Small grains production increases

Production of small grains has increased after last year’s El-Nino induced drought and agriculture stakeholder efforts to increase climate change resilience.

A year ago Sakina Magumbo (48) failed to harvest even a single bucket of maize as drought ravaged her small plot in Chidoba village in Mwenezi.

Fortunately, she had grown pearl millet and harvested 270 kilogrammes which was enough to feed her family of eight for 60 days.

This season, Magumbo has expanded production of small grains as they are suitable for the dry region. Â

More smallholder farmers in the dry region are adopting small grains production complimented by conservation farming methods, after receiving training from Agritex and seed and fertilizer packs from the World Food Programme under its food secure initiative during the 2015/16 summer cropping season.

Latest statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development show production of small grains rose significantly this year, with pearl millet registering a 120 percent increase of 124 hectares from 56000 hectares last year.

Sorghum production went up by 118 percent to 188 hectares from 86 000 hectares.